Google Pixel 4 might come with a better dual-SIM functionality

Lately, we have been witnessing quite a lot of leaks and rumours concerning the Google Pixel 3 Lite and Pixel 3 Lite XL smartphones. If reports are to be believed, Google may launch these budget offerings on Verizon in early 2019. However, fans are also eyeing the Google Pixel 4 launch to be held later this year. While we have no sharp points about the same, a new report hints that Pixel 4 might bring an improved dual-SIM functionality.

Reported by XDA Developers, a recent change in the AOSP Gerrit indicates that Google is adding property values in the framework and Telephony service to ascertain if a device has hardware support for multiSIM functionality. Furthermore, a comment left by a Googler states that the 2019 Pixel will bring proper dual SIM functionality.

Notably, both the existing Pixel 2 and Pixel 3 smartphones support dual-Sim through regular nanoSIM and eSIM support. However, both the SIMs could not be used at the corresponding time. The same is clarified by @madebygoogle support on Twitter that one cannot use “physical SIM network and the eSIM network simultaneously.”

This way, Pixel 2 and Pixel 3 are capped for Dual SIM Single Standby (DSSS) support, meaning that you can have two sims provisioned for two different networks, but only the active slot will be able to make calls and messages. On the contrary, the new iPhones, as well as some of the new Android phones have Dual SIM Dual Active (DSDA) support allowing either of the Sim to be used for calls and data, simultaneously.

Following the same, the 2019 Pixel 4 would also incorporate DSDA support, offering better dual-sim functionality with an eSIM and regular SIM in dual standby mode, just like the latest iPhones. Moreover, Google is reportedly testing the stability of this feature on Pixel 3 XL and could possibly bring it to the current Pixel line-up.